Endocrinology Flashcards
explain the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes
insulin deficiency, due to autoimmune destruction of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells
(islet cells: alpha cells = glucagon, beta cells = insulin)
explain the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes
insulin resistance develops - body can no longer produce enough insulin to cope with the high levels of glucose entering the body so the cells become resistant to insulin’s effects.
there is hypersecretion of insulin, by a depleted number of beta cells, so the insulin levels are increased by not enough to control glucose homeostasis.
hyperglycaemia and lipid excess are toxic to beta cells so insulin secretion then drops.
what is the classical triad of symptoms for a presenting type 1 diabetic? what causes each of these
polyuria - due to osmotic diuresis from blood glucose exceeding the tubular reabsorption capacity.
polydipsia - due to fluid and electrolyte loss.
weight loss - fluid depletion and accelerated breakdown of fat and muscle.
also lethargy, DKA
give 3 complications a type 2 diabetic may present with
recurrent staphylococcus skin infections (also thrush, UTIs), retinopathy, polyneuropathy, erectile dysfunction, arterial disease e.g. MI.
sometimes just picked up on glucose testing. may get polyuria, polydipsia etc as well.
what investigation is used to measures long term glucose control? what are the normal and diagnostic values?
HbA1c - glycosylated haemoglobin - glucose is taken up by haemoglobin and remains in blood for 8-12wks - high blood glucose over that period shows up as a raised HbA1c.
diagnostic value is >48mmol/mol.
what is the WHO diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus ?
hyperglycaemic symptoms - polyuria, polydipsia, unexplained weight loss, visual blurring, genital thrush, lethargy AND:
fasting plasma glucose >7.0mmol/L OR.
random plasma glucose >11.1 mmol/L.
describe the general, non-pharmacological management of diabetes mellitus
risk factor management (esp. BP control!).
diabetes education, diet and exercise e.g. educate on self-adjusting doses in T1 (DAFNE).
frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (if IDDM) and long-term monitoring of HbA1c.
maximise glucose control.
what are the steps in the pathway for managing T2DM
check this is up to date (NICE)
1) lifestyle and diet changes for 6/52, inform DVLA. low GI/dairy/fat/sugar diet, aim for 5-10% wt loss
measure HbA1c 3-6mthly initially then 6/12 (aim 48/6.5%)
2) single drug therapy - metformin ideally, increase gradually over few weeks (GI SEs). aim 6.5%/48.
3) dual therapy only if >58/7.5%: gliptin or sulfonylurea or pioglitazone, target 53/7%.
4) triple therapy if still not under 58/7.5%:
- metform + sulfonylurea + pioglitazone
- metformin + sulfonyurea + gliptin
- start insulin
5) insulin
* if metformin CI do any 1 drug –> any 2 –> insulin
how does metformin work?
biguanide.
reduces rate of gluconeogenesis, reducing hepatic glucose output.
increases insulin sensitivity (GLUT4).
CI - CKD, eGFR <30.
NO weight gain or hypos, but can cause lactic acidosis.
SEs - GI upset** 20% intolerable!
how do sulfonylureas work?
oral hypoglycaemics
binds to channels on beta
cells to increase fusion of insulin granulae with cell membrane - INCREASES PANCREATIC INSULIN SECRETION.
SEs- hypos and weight gain.
CI pregnancy
how does pioglitazone work?
increases insulin sensitivity - promotes glucose consumption by muscles.
SE - wt gain, fluid retention, osteoporosis.
CI - heart failure and osteoporosis.
what are the differences in onset between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
type 1 - adolescent onset usual.
type 2 - onset usually >40yrs.
type 1 is linked to HLA D3 and D4, type 2 has no HLA association.
what are the differences in how type 1 and type 2 diabetes present?
type 1 will present with polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, ketonuria etc.
type 2 presents asymptomatically (picked up on blood test), or with complications e.g. MI, recurrent infections
what lifestyle factors is type 2 diabetes associated with?
obesity, lack of exercise, calorie and alcohol excess.
list some possible causes of DM
drugs - steroids, anti-HIV drugs, antipsychotics, thiazides.
pancreatic - pancreatitis, surgery, trauma, pancreatic destruction (haemachromatosis, CF), pancreatic cancer.
Cushing’s disease.
Acromegaly.
Phaeochromocytoma.
Hyperthyroidism.
Pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
give 3 risk factors for type 2 DM
overweight/obese. central adiposity. Asian background. Age >40yrs. FHx. gestational diabetes.
what are the main different types of insulin regimes? what are the important SEs to be aware of for insulin?
1) Once-daily- ;ong or int at bedtime - only suitable T2DM
2) Twice-daily - pre breakfast/evening meal
3) Basal-bolus - long or int at bedtime with rapid/short to cover meals
4) Continuous subcut or insulin pump - if very poor control
hypos and lipodystrophy
give examples of possible injection sites for insulin. why is it important they are rotated regularly?
outer thigh, abdomen, arm.
rotating reduces risk of infection and lipohypertrophy (lipohypertrophy).
what are the main long term complications of diabetes mellitus
retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, skin infections.
also increased risk of MI, stroke etc
describe the symptoms of hypoglycaemia
autonomic - sweating, anxiety, hunger, tremor, palpitations, dizziness.
neuroglycopenic - confusion, drowsiness, visual trouble, seizures, coma
how would you treat hypoglycaemia?
conscious? - 10-20g short acting carb e.g. Lucozade, x3 glucose tablets, glucogel (then some toast or something for long-acting carbs!!)
unconscious? safe airway consider glucogel, IM glucagon probs best!
what is a hypoglycaemic coma? how would you treat it?
rapid onset of hypoglycaemia preceded by aggression, sweating, high pulse, seizures - leading to loss of consciousness.
treat with IV glucose or IM glucagon - should recover promptly.
sugary drinks and a meal once conscious.
how does DKA present?
abdo pain + vomiting
polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration Kussmaul breathing (deep hyperventilation to correct acidosis) Acetone breath (pear drop - ketones)
what causes diabetic ketoacidosis?
there’s an excess glucose, but due to lack of insulin this can’t be taken up by cells to be metabolised - body pushed into starvation-like state.
ketoacidosis is the only alternative metabolic pathway.
results in severe acidosis.